News

Outside the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, it’s freezing, windy and gray. But inside, the atmosphere is warm as thousands of divers check out the latest gear, hot (literally and figuratively) destinations, and the DPG gallery featuring the winners of the Our World Underwater International Photo and Video Competition.

The Our World Underwater Imaging Competition

For nearly three decades, the OWU show has remained one of the largest consumer dive shows in America. It is for this reason UnderwaterCompetition.com has partnered with the show to host one of the most prestigious underwater imaging competitions.  

With thousands of entries annually, the winners are really the crème of the crop. Sure, the world’s top judges give their votes, but there’s nothing like hearing the “oohs” and “ahs” of the audience when we present the results and the dual film festivals hosted by OWU.
 

Show visitors check out the stunning winners of the Our World Underwater International Imaging Competition in the DivePhotoGuide gallery.

The film festivals feature some of the premier image makers and serve as a great opportunity to honor the leaders of the dive industry. This year was especially significant as acclaimed underwater photographer Stephen Frink received an award for “Outstanding Achievement.”

We encourage you to scurry on over to the UnderwaterCompetition.com website to view the full results.
 

The complete lineup from the acclaimed Saturday night film festival takes one final bow and round of applause.
 

Outstanding Achievement award-winner, Stephen Frink, poses with photographer Michele Gilbert.

New Gear on Display

Our World Underwater is a consumer show, and we saw lots of underwater photographers going through the aisles in search of the latest new gear. Retailers and manufacturers attending the show included Ikelite, Backscatter, i-DiveSite, SeaLife, and Nauticam. Here’s what we were able to check out.
 

I-DiveSite's much anticipated Symbiosis combines strobe light with a continuous video light. Pricing is yet to be determined, but it will be available in the next two months.

 

SeaLife continued to garner interest for their Micro 2.0, self-contained underwater camera at the OWU show. Check out our review of this capable compact series. 
 

No, your eyes don't deceive you. Ikelite is rolling out their new-look housings. At a significantly lower weight and with the iconic built-in TTL, these housings will begin to ship in the coming months.
 

That's one scary-bright setup!

The Show Floor

When not informing show visitors about the OWU Imaging Contest, DPG Editor Joe Tepper also had the chance to walk around the show floor and catch up with all of the people that make the industry great.
 

Alert Diver editor, Stephen Frink, stops by to catch up with Ikelite’s John Brigham.
 

A lucky show visitor gets one-on-one instruction time with the knowledgeable folks at Backscatter.
 

With all of that chilly Chicago weather, it’s little wonder folks were interested in booking a trip to Wakatobi Resort.
 

Featured author—and film festival presenter—Richie Kohler signs his latest shipwreck novel, “Mystery of the Last Olympian.”
 

Got lionfish?
 

DPG Editor Joe Tepper takes a break from serious show business to try on the three championship rings of the Chicago Blackhawks. They are pretty heavy...
 

Well, that’s another wonderful year of OWU in the books. The next major show DPG will attend takes place in early April: Beneath the Sea in New Jersey. See you then!